Diego Machado Mendanha, a final-year medical resident in the Cancerology Program at the School of Medical Sciences of the University of Campinas (FCM/Unicamp), won third place in the 2024 National Residents’ Oncology Quiz. The competition, promoted by the Brazilian Society of Clinical Oncology and the Brazilian School of Oncology, took place during the 25th Brazilian Congress of Clinical Oncology, held from November 7 to 9 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The competition fostered integration among residents from different institutions, encouraging the exchange of experiences and teamwork. “Winning first place in the first round of the competition and achieving third place overall in the final was an extremely meaningful accomplishment. This recognition validates the effort and dedication I’ve put into my training and reinforces my confidence in the skills I’ve been developing,” Mendanha says.

In addition to being a resident, he is also a master’s student in the Oncology Graduate Program at Unicamp, with a research project linked to CEPID CancerThera. His research focuses on comparing two imaging methods — PET-FDG and PSMA-Lutetium — in patients with metastatic melanoma. By comparing PET-FDG, which identifies areas of high metabolic activity, with PSMA-Lutetium, typically used in prostate cancer but with potential in melanoma, the study aims to evaluate which method is more efficient in detecting melanoma metastases.

Mendanha’s research is supervised by professor Carmen Silvia Passos Lima, oncologist and hematologist, professor at FCM/Unicamp, and principal investigator at CEPID CancerThera. “This young oncologist and researcher makes us very proud,” says Lima.

Residents participate in clinical challenges and ethical decision-making exercises during the competition.

How the quiz works

The quiz is a competition that combines clinical challenges and medical conduct questions, always based on the most recent guidelines and scientific evidence. It includes multiple-choice questions associated with solving complex cases. These challenges cover different areas, such as diagnosis, treatment, side effects, and other relevant topics in oncology practice.

In addition to personal prestige, the awards earned in the competition reflect the resident’s ability to apply knowledge under pressure and work collaboratively with colleagues. According to Mendanha, the experience was enriching: “My participation was an opportunity to test my knowledge and learn in a collaborative environment,” he says.

Mendanha also highlights the impact on his career: “I believe this award can open important doors and strengthen my professional network in Oncology, which is essential for career growth.” He adds: “I am very grateful to my residency preceptors, who have always encouraged and supported me in all my projects.”